In ear hearing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A hearing apparatus equipped with an output transducer, a voltage source, an amplifier, an input transducer capable of magnetic or electrical reception and a gain control. There is provided an elongate bipartite housing constructed to be inserted into the auditory or hearing channel. In the lengthwise direction of the housing there are arranged adjacent to one another the output transducer, the voltage source, the amplifier, the input transducer and the gain control. The output transducer is arranged in a first part of the housing, the amplifier, the input transducer and the gain control are arranged in a second part of the housing which is detachably connected with the first part of the housing. The voltage source is arranged between the output transducer and the amplifier at the region of the connection location of the housing parts.

United States Patent [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 30, 1971 Switzerland 19184/71 [52] U.S. Cl 179/107 E [51] Int. Cl H04r 25/02 [58] Field of Search 179/107 E [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,595,489 5/1952 Rutter et al. 179/107 E 2,950,357 8/1960 Mitchell et al. 179/107 E 2,959,645 11/1960 Lacld 179/107 E 2,971,065 2/1961 Busse 179/107 E 3,055,990 9/1962 Sidlo 179/107 E v 3,265,819 8/1966 Herrmann 179/107 E FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 598,919 9/1957 ltaly 179/107 E 5 ,0 Z 4 6a 11 1 5a 5b 3 6 2 Appl. No.: 314,902

Diethelm Dec. 3, 11974 4] EAR HEARING APPARATUS Primary Examinerl(athleen H. Claffy [75] lnvemor' gizt g Zonlkerberg Assistant Examiner-Mitchell Saffian [73] Assignee: AG fur Elektroakustik [22] Filed: Dec. 13, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT A hearing apparatus equipped with an output transducer, a voltage source, an amplifier, an input transducer capable of magnetic or electrical reception and a gain control. There is provided an elongate bipartite housing constructed to be inserted into the auditory or hearing channel. In the lengthwise direction of the housing there are arranged adjacent to one another the output transducer, the voltage source, the amplifier, the input transducer and the gain control The output transducer is arranged in afirst part of the housing, the amplifier, the input transducer and the gain control are arranged in a second part of the housing which is detachably connected with the first part of the housing. The voltage source is arranged.between the output transducer and the amplifier at the region of the connection location of the housing parts 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEL E 74 mime;

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. 1 EAR HEARING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved constructionv of hearing apparatus with a sound receiver or listening device, a voltage source, an amplifier, a signal receiver, and a gain control.

The known hearing devices which can be worn in th ear of the user typically possess a first component which can be inserted into the auditory or hearing channel and a second component which is situated externally of the auditory channel in the ear. Such type hearing apparatuses-therefore can be considered to be known as such to the art. v

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new'and improved construction of hearing apparatus which essentially can be' inserted as a unit in the hearing or auditory channel, so that it is practically invisible from the outside.

Another'object of the present invention relates to-a new and improved construct-ion of hearing apparatus which can be comfortably worn by the user and is designed such that it can be essentially inserted into the auditory channel of the wearer without discomfort, and rendering same practically non-visible to'a casual-observer. A

Now in order to implement these and still'further objects of the invention, which'will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the hearing apparatu's of this development is manifested by the features that there-is provided 'a' bipartite or two-part housing of substantially elongate configuration which is designed to be inserted into the auditory or hearing channel. In

the lengthwise direction of th'ehousing, there are juxta-- positioned the output transducer, the-voltage source, the amplifier; the input transducer and the gain control. The output transducer is arranged in a first housing part, and the'amplifier, the signal receiver and the gain control are arranged in a second housing part releasably connected with the first housing part. The voltage source is arranged between the sound receiver and the amplifier at the connection location of both housing part with one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING I ponents thereof in an exploded condition; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view through that end of the hearing apparatus of FIG. 1 which possesses the sound outlet opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is depicted in side view the shape of the housing H of the hearing'apparatus or device 100. This elongate extending housing H is designed to be rotationally symmetrical with respect to its lengthwise axis and will be understood to encompass a first housing part or component 1 and a second housing part or component 2-which can be detachably connected with the first housing part 1 in a manner fully to be described hereinafter. The housing part 2 is closed by a cover member 2a or other suitable closure device. At the end of the housing facing away from the second housing part 2 the first housing part 1 carries a protective cap 3 which protects the sound outlet opening la.

At the'cover 2a of the second housing part or component 2 there is mounted at the outside thereof an accessible gain control 4, preferably incorporating a conventional potentiometer which can be actuated by a knob 4a, so that when the hearing apparatus 100 is inserted into the auditory channel of the user it is accessible from the outside for the purpose of controlling the sound intensity. I I

The cross-sectionof the housing H conically tapers in the direction of its lengthwise axis towards the end of the first housing part 1 which carries the protective cap 3. v

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view along the lengthwise axis of the hearing apparatus and wherein the individual components thereof have been portrayed in an ex i ploded view to facilitate the showingthereof and to more readily explain-the underlyingconcepts of the instant-development. Y .1

Continuing, it will be seen that a output transducer 5 is arranged in the first housing part 1, the output transducer 5 possessing a sound departure tube 6 which piercingly extends through the opening 111 provided at the end of the housing part 1. The protective cap 3 is inserted into this opening la inorder to protect the outlet opening 6a of the tube 6 against contaminationby dirt or' other foreign particles. g

A hollow cylindrical holding or retaining element 7 is fixedly seated in the end of the first housing part 1 which is opposite the sound outlet opening 1a. This retaining element 7 serves to receive a substantially cylindrically constructed voltage source 8. The retaining element 7 protrudes in the direction, of the lengthwise axis of the housing part v1 past such, as will be clearly seen from FIG. 2. I I c Two contact elements 9 and 10 are'accommodated at the wall of the retaining or holding element 7. These contact elements 9 and 10 are flexedat their ends 9a and 10a respectively and protrude from the retaining or holding element 7.

Both of the contact elements 9 and 10 are electrically coupled via the conductors or lines 11 and 12 with the respective input terminals 5a and 5b of the output transducer 5. The contact element 10 possesses a structed as a printed circuit and supported upon projections or protuberances, and on this support plate 13 there are accommodated the electrical components 14 of the amplifier. The components 14 are arranged at the outer edge of the substantially circular-shaped support plate 13 along the periphery thereof, so that space .is' provided at the center thereof for instailing thereat an input signal receiver 15, which can beconsidered to constitute a microphone or an induction coil for inductive signal reception serving as the listening or hearing coil, and generally indicated by reference character Contact springs or blades 16 and 17 are mounted at the underface of the support plate 13 and which, when the hearing apparatus is assembled together come into contact with the ends 90 and 10a respectively of the contact elements 9 and 10 respectively.

Upon assembly of both housing parts 1 and 2 the protruding portion of the retaining or holding element 7 accommodating the voltage source 8 is introduced into the hollow compartment or'space l8 provided'in the housing part 2. As a result, the contact element ends 9a and 10a are guided through slots 19 and 20 at the floor of the housing part2 and following rotation of the first housing part 1 such contact element ends travel upon run-on surfaces of ridgesorrims 21 provided at the housing part2, only one of which is visible in the drawing, so that there is provided a bayonet-type releasable closure connection between the housing parts 1 and 2. The ends 9a and 10a of the contact elements 9 and 10 respectively, thus serve both for the electrical as well as mechanical connection of both housing parts 1. and 2. i I I Instead of using the aforedescribed bayonet connection it would be also possible to use other types of connections, such asa threaded connection, in which case the retaining element 7 and the base of the housing part 2 each would be'provided with suitable threading.

With the hearing apparatus 100 assembled together the second pole 8b of thevoltage source 8 which extends into the hollow compartment- 18 comes into contact with a contact provided at the underside of the support or-carrier plate 13. V 1 ln FIG. 3 "there is shown in sectional view the end of the first housing part 1 which carries the protective cap 3 and-with the sound receiver or listening device 5 mounted therein." The protective cap 3 is introduced I 'into the slightly conically tapering opening la where it is fixedly clamped or seated. The'protective cap 3 possesses a cylindrical hollow compartment or space 22 which is closed at one side,

as indicated as 22a, and the lengthwise axis of which is in alignment with that of the sound outlet .tube 6. Throughpassage openings 23, only two'of which are visible, are arranged at the protective cap around the hollow compartment 22. The lengthwise axes of such throughpassage openings 23 are essentially parallel to the lengthwise axis of the hollow compartment 22.

The sound waves generated by the sound receiver 5 depart from the sound outlet tube 6 into the hollow compartment 22, from which location such sound waves arrive at the compartment 24 between the sound receiver or listening device 5 and the protective cap 3. From thelocation of the compartment 24 the sound waves can escape through the throughpassag e openings 23 out of the hearing apparatus.

By means of'the protective cap 3 there'is prevented penetration of dirt particles which might be located in the auditory channel of the user through the opening 6a of the sound outlet tube 6 into the output transducer 5.

In order to be able to clean the protective cap 3 and the possibly clogged throughpassage openings 23'it is readily possible to remove such protective cap from the housing part 1. g

Owing to the chosen arrangement of the individual components essentially alongone axis it is possible to impart to the hearing apparatus an essentially elongate configuration which is accommodated 'to the shape of the auditory channel and to maintain small the dimensional size of the hearing apparatus.

Removal or exchange of the voltage source 8 can occur quickly and without effort by merelyseparating both housing parts from one another in the described manner.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly'understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is: 'i

1. A hearing apparatusarranged to be inserted into the auditory channel of the user, said apparatus includa. a substantially elongate two-part housing;

b. means for releasably interconnecting the two portions of said housing;

c. an output transducer arranged in a first portion of said housing; v V

d. an'input transducer capableof' magnetic and electrical reception, an amplifier and a gain controlarrangedin'the second portion of said housing;

e. a voltage source;

I f. means forreceiving and retaining said voltage source in said first housing portion'between said output transducer and said amplifier when'said portions of said housing are releasably connected at the region of interconnection;

g. said output transducer having a pair of input terminals;

h. said amplifier having contacts; and I i. said retaining means being provided with two contact elements which are fixedly connected, respectively with the two input terminals of said output transducer'and releasably connected with the contacts of said amplifier, one such contact element coming into contact with one pole of said voltage source whereas the other pole of said voltage source is coupled with the amplifier. 2. The hearing apparatus as defined in claim 1,

2 wherein the secondhousing part is provided with ridge a. said amplifier comprises a support plate in the form of a printed circuit, one face of said support plate being provided with contacts which come into contact with said contacts of said retaining device and said voltage source;-and b. components of said amplifier being arranged about the periphery of said support plate on the other side thereof. 

1. A hearing apparatus arranged to be inserted into the auditory channel of the user, said apparatus including: a. a substantially elongate two-part housing; b. means for releasably interconnecting the two portions of said housing; c. an output transducer arranged in a first portion of said housing; d. an input transducer capable of magnetic and electrical reception, an amplifier and a gain control arranged in the second portion of said housing; e. a voltage source; f. means for receiving and retaining said voltage source in said first housing portion between said output transducer and said amplifier when said portions of said housing are releasably connected at the region of interconnection; g. said output transducer having a pair of input terminals; h. said amplifier having contacts; and i. said retaining means being provided with two contact elements which are fixedly connected, respectively with the two input terminals of said output transducer and releasably connected with the contacts of said amplifier, one such contact element coming into contact with one pole of said voltage source whereas the other pole of said voltage source is coupled with the amplifier.
 2. The hearing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the second housing part is provided with ridge means, the ends of said contact elements being constructed as protruding extended portions which engage in a bayonet-closure like fashion behind the ridge means of the second housing part and contact the contacts of the amplifier.
 3. The hearing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the retaining device is provided with threading and the first housing part is connected by means of the threading of the retaining device with the second housing part.
 4. The hearing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and; a. said amplifier comprises a support plate in the form of a printed circuit, one face of said support plate being provided with contacts which come into contact with said contacts of said retaining device and said voltage source; and b. components of said amplifier being arranged about the periphery of said support plate on the other side thereof. 